Gastric Bypass Meals: Recipes for Gastric Bypass

Gastric bypass surgery is an operation where the size of the stomach is reduced to prevent the storage of excess food. People who are obese and have tried most weight loss programs and exercise regimes without any success, opt for gastric surgery. During the operation, the surgeon reduces the size of the pouch in the stomach where the food we eat gets stored and connects it to the small intestine. In this way, the person will be able to eat only a small amount of food, leading to less absorption of calories which subsequently results into weight loss. However, for the surgery to have a successful outcome, it is necessary for the person to follow such meals, otherwise it can lead to various complications and sometimes even weight gain.

Post Surgery Meal Plan
After the surgery, the doctor or a dietitian would make a meal plan for the patient. For the first few days post surgery, the patient would be given only clear liquids. It includes water in small quantities, fruit juices, clear broth, diet soda, etc. Once the doctor observes that clear liquids do not cause any complications in the patient, a full liquid diet would be started before he leaves the hospital. This liquid diet continues for a week or two. After this, a pureed diet, where the patient should be given foods that are made smooth and soft like baby food, is started. Once this stage is cleared, the patient can be given solid foods. This usually happens about 8-10 weeks after the surgery.

Maintaining a proper diet is very important for people who have undergone this surgery. Food for patients should consist of high levels of protein. High protein meal plans include food made of fish, skinned chicken or turkey, eggs, lean red meat or pork, and low-fat or cottage cheese. It is also essential for a patient to reduce the consumption of foods containing sugar, fats as well as fiber.

Eating foods containing sugar like cookies, milkshakes, desserts, ice creams, chocolates, etc can lead to an increase in calories and reverse the whole purpose of the surgery. If people eat foods that are high in fats like fried foods, they are likely to experience acid reflux, diarrhea, discomfort in the stomach and nausea. On the other hand, the diet should include minerals and vitamins for gastric bypass. One would be advised to take vitamins and mineral supplements like Vitamin B12, folate, calcium and iron.

Caregivers of patients would have to learn meal recipes that suit the recovery process. Food should be prepared according to the diet plan of the patient, i.e they should be high in proteins and contain very less or no fiber, fats or sugar.

Ideal Recipes

Tomato Crab Soup

Ingredients

• 3 cups tomato juice
• 12 ounces evaporated milk
• 1-2 small onions
• ½ teaspoon basil
• 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 3 tablespoons flour
• ¼ teaspoon old bay seasoning
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon Splenda sweetener
• 10 ounces lump crab meat
• ¼ teaspoon thyme
• 1 clove garlic
• Salt and pepper - as per taste

Directions
Chop onion and garlic into fine pieces. Heat olive oil in a deep bottomed cooking pan and fry the onion and garlic for 8-10 minutes. When they become transparent, put in the flour and stir for a minute or two. Pour in the milk, tomato juice, red pepper flakes, sweetener, thyme, basil, salt, pepper and old bay seasoning and continue to stir. Cook in a high to medium flame. When the mixture starts boiling, turn the flame to low. Simmer for at least 15 minutes, but do not forget to stir in between. Stir in the crab meat and switch off the flame.

Turkey with Cheese

Ingredients

• 8 ounces turkey sausages
• 6 eggs
• 1 cup cottage cheese, shredded
• 2 medium-sized potatoes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degree F. In a medium-sized bowl, beat the eggs along with ½ cup cottage cheese and set aside. Heat olive oil in a skillet and fry turkey. Chop the potatoes and add to the pan. Coat a 13 x 9 glass baking dish with oil and place the potato-meat mixture into it. Pour the egg mixture into it and bake in the oven. After 15 minutes, take it out of the oven and garnish with the remaining cheese.

Both these recipes are good and can be included in high protein meal plans because they are made with seafood, turkey and cottage cheese. The diet plan for each patient would be different and so it is necessary to consult the doctor before following any diet. Following the prescribed diet meals would definitely ensure quick and effective recovery.